Rotterdam mentality ties city, port and university

Rotterdam, 15 December 2014 - The Municipality of Rotterdam, Port of Rotterdam Authority (PoR), Erasmus University of Rotterdam and Rotterdam partners are joining hands to put Rotterdam more clearly on the map, both at home and abroad. The concerted profile under the motto ‘Make it Happen’ reflects the typical Rotterdam mentality and shows what the city, port and inhabitants stand for: pioneering, groundbreaking and no-nonsense. This unique collaboration aims to attract and retain the highly educated, businesses, trade, visitors and citizens.

Ahmed Aboutaleb (mayor of Rotterdam), Allard Castelein (president of the PoR), Pauline van der Meer Mohr (President of the Executive Board of Erasmus University) and Ron Voskuilen (president of Rotterdam Partners) kicked off the collaboration today at Central Station. Aboutaleb says, “As a groundbreaking world city, we aim to continue to expand on Rotterdam’s appeal, also internationally. At the same time, we must tackle the challenges of a rapidly changing society and competitive economy. If the university, port and city collaborate like this, we have greater leverage and we can show Rotterdam as a whole.”

Unique in the world; typically Rotterdam

It is unique that four leading Rotterdam groups are reinforcing the Rotterdam ‘brand’ in such an unequivocal way. This collaboration and the motto did not come out of nowhere, however. “‘Make it Happen’ fits Rotterdam. Take the New Heating Network, that uses residual heat from the port for urban heating. And SmartPort, a project in which the PoR and Erasmus University work together on smart solutions. We are sharing these innovations and developments together with the rest of the world,” Castelein says.

Exciting invitation

‘Make it Happen’ reflects what the city, port and inhabitants stand for: pioneering, groundbreaking and no-nonsense. It is the mentality Rotterdam inhabitants are proud of. Van der Meer Mohr: “‘Make it Happen’ is a promise and an inviting invitation: it is possible here and come do it. It is not meant as self-congratulation. At the same time, we can rightly take pride in everything happening here. We want to reflect that as a university. We hope and expect that this mentality will resonate with more parties who will then join in the collaboration. Because you might move faster on your own, but together we will move much farther.”